Chamber and committees

In my statement to Parliament on 29 November, I confirmed that we will develop a multi-year plan to tackle instances of challenging behaviour, working with local authorities, trade unions and others.

We are committed to working with trade union partners on developing this national action plan. I hosted a productive roundtable meeting with trade unions on 6 December 2023, with a focus on behaviour. The national action plan will be developed in collaboration with the Scottish Advisory Group on Relationships and Behaviour in Schools (SAGRABIS), which includes representatives from all the main teaching unions. My aim is to publish the plan as soon as possible in the new year.

I have made it absolutely clear that our schools should be safe and consistent learning environments for all, and that violent and abusive behaviours towards pupils or staff is unacceptable.

I have recently concluded a series of relationships and behaviour summit events, which engaged widely. Participants in these events included teachers, support staff, teaching unions, local authorities, parents, children’s organisations, academics, community justice and violence reduction organisations, and a spectrum of third sector organisations. Details of the summits, including organisations represented, can be found here Health and wellbeing in schools - Schools - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Our research into Behaviour in Scottish Schools report published on the 28 November 2023. The findings from this research, and the outcomes from the discussions at the summit events, will be used to inform the development of a national action plan. This national action plan will be developed in collaboration with the Scottish Advisory Group on Relationships and Behaviour in Schools, which I chair jointly with COSLA’s Children and Young Person spokesperson, and membership includes representatives from unions, education, and parents and carers. We will publish the plan as soon as possible in the new year.

We look forward to continuing our engagement as we develop out action plan to help make a difference on this issue.

We have surveyed NHS Boards on their local policies regarding reimbursement of electricity costs for home dialysis. We are working with health boards to understand how best to achieve national consistency so that patients undergoing home dialysis are protected from the impact of high electricity prices, wherever they live.

At present, there is no legal minimum frequency for servicing of gas appliances in owner-occupied homes in the UK. Therefore, there is no requirement for sellers to provide proof of servicing before a property sale. However, visual inspection of gas appliances forms part of the Scottish Home Report, and Gas Safe Register advice is to test gas appliances annually and prior to change in occupancy.

In addition, the Scottish Government introduced new requirements in 2022 for all homes containing carbon-fuelled appliances to fit a Carbon Monoxide alarm, to protect occupants from the dangers of faulty equipment.

As outlined in the answer to question S6W-23689 on 19 December 2023, we have surveyed NHS Boards to understand their local policies regarding reimbursement of electricity costs for home dialysis. In addition, input has been given by those responsible for service delivery and stakeholders. We are currently working with health boards to understand how best to achieve national consistency so that patients undergoing home dialysis are protected from the impact of high electricity prices, wherever they live. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

As outlined in my answer to question S6W-23137 on 4 December 2023, I expect to provide a further update on this in the coming weeks.

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

The following tables set out the position in relation to recruitment (Table1), retention (table 2), and absence (table 3) across the SPS estate.

The data provided only covers operational prison officer grades, who have responsibility for delivering essential frontline services within Scotland’s prisons.

Data has been provided for the year 1 November 2022 to 31 October 2023 as data covering the period to 30 November 2023 has not yet been finalised and is therefore not available.

Table 1

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-23485 on 14 December 2023. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/questions-and-answers

The vast majority of spending on mental health is delivered through NHS board budgets – and this is not directly affected by the budget reprioritisation. Between the Scottish Government and NHS boards we expect spending on Mental Health to be well in excess of £1.3 billion in financial year 2023-24.

The 2023-24 direct mental health budget of £260.3 million is still more than double the 2020-21 mental health budget of £117.1 million and supports delivery of the new ten-year Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy and recently published delivery and workforce plans, the Suicide Prevention Strategy and action plan and Scotland's first Self-Harm Strategy and action plan. These Plans have been produced with affordability and deliverability within that overall financial envelope as a primary consideration.

Scotland’s two iconic national parks were established in 2000 as Non-Departmental Public Bodies and their governance arrangements were set down in Designation orders thereafter.

NDPBs operate at arms lengths from Scottish Government and are wholly accountable to the Scottish Parliament. The relationship with government is set out in a Framework Agreement between the body and Scottish Ministers, both national parks have these agreements in place.

Scottish Ministers regularly meet both National Parks to discuss a range of matters, including governance.